The self-confident, intelligent, and strong willed leader named Oedipus gained ruler of Thebes by answering this Riddle of Sphinx; what has four legs in the morning, two at noon, and three at night? Oedipus replies, Man (who crawls on all fours as a baby, walks upright later, and needs a walking ... liberated his people from previous misfortunes. "You came and by your coming saved our city, freed us from the tribute which we paid of old to the Sphinx, cruel singer," (Sophocles, 39-41) says the priest. While others may claim the incest and wickedness Oedipus encounters may overshadow his good...

• Word Count: 1027
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School